Refuse and Waste Disposal Services RFP

The City of Calhoun, Georgia, in Barrow County, is seeking proposals for residential and commercial refuse collection and disposal services through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) issued December 19, 2025, with a submission deadline of January 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The procurement encompasses weekly curbside pickup of residential garbage from approximately 5,000 single-family homes and apartments with fewer than five units; twice-weekly commercial collection of approximately 35 containers in the downtown area on Tuesdays and Fridays; three-times-weekly emptying of 25 downtown wrought-iron trash receptacles; hand collection service for approximately 10 residential customers in the steep, narrow "Fox Mountain" area; and additional support for special downtown events such as Harvest Fest and BBQ Boogie & Blues. All 95-gallon containers are furnished by the vendor, with pricing required for two scenarios: Proposal #1 utilizing Red Bone Ridge Landfill (the city's preferred facility) and Proposal #2 with no landfill restriction. Vendors must submit pricing for monthly per-unit rates for the base 5,000 containers and approximately 790 additional containers, along with charges for special pickups, overfilled cart handling, and downtown special events. Qualified vendors must demonstrate five years of continuous successful operation in waste removal, provide references from at least two current local government clients, obtain Georgia corporate authorization, and disclose any Environmental Protection Division or EPA violations. Required documentation includes proof of insurance with specified minimum coverage limits (Worker's Compensation statutory, Employer's Liability $500,000, Bodily Injury Liability $500,000 per occurrence/$1,000,000 aggregate, Property Damage Liability $500,000 per occurrence/$1,000,000 aggregate, and Excess Umbrella Liability $500,000), a Performance Bond equal to one year's full contract price, a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Drug-Free Workplace Certificate, and completion of the City Vendor Application Packet including E-Verify and S.A.V.E. program participation affidavits. The evaluation process employs a three-phase selection methodology assessing technical qualifications, pricing, and final interviews with the top two bidders, with contract award anticipated January 26, 2026. Pre-proposal questions must be submitted in writing by January 8, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. to Sarah Wiggins, Purchasing Agent, and proposals will be opened publicly at 10:00 a.m. on January 21, 2026. An original and seven copies of the proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope to the City Purchasing Department at 700 W. Line Street, Calhoun, GA 30701.

The RFP contains no identified set-asides or restrictions based on disadvantaged enterprise status, nor does it exclude specific types of organizations from responding. The current incumbent contractor is Mauldin, which will provide a 30-day transition period following contract award, with the new contract commencing February 1, 2026. The City of Calhoun currently bills all waste services under a unified invoice with separate line items for residential, commercial, and miscellaneous services and seeks cost savings at the landfill level to benefit overall program affordability and reduce residential pricing from the current $8.40 per month for residential carts and $5.00 per month for additional carts. While the RFP does not specify an explicit award value or budget range, the scope of services covering approximately 5,000 primary residential units, 790 additional containers, 35 commercial containers, and downtown special event support indicates a substantial municipal waste services contract. The contract term is five years beginning February 1, 2026, with an optional additional five-year renewal term, providing vendors with potential long-term revenue stability. Performance bonds and certain forms are required only upon contract award, not at proposal submission, reducing initial compliance burdens for vendors preparing their responses. Inquiries regarding the RFP should be directed to Sarah Wiggins, Purchasing Department, at (706) 602-5680 or swiggins@calnet-ga.net, while technical questions should be directed to Shane Cox at 706-602-6027 or scox@calnet-ga.net.